July 22, 2016 – Mimiko Under Fire For Distributing Free Rice To Ondo Residents Before Election

Ex-President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Rotimi Akeredolu has described the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’s distribution of rice to residents of the state few months to the governorship election as an act of electoral fraud.

He said it was amoral for Mimiko to be distributing rice to the people of the state while his administration had not been able to pay public servants arrears of salaries.

Akeredolu, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), added that Mimiko’s distribution of rice across polling units at this critical time was nothing, but an act of electoral fraud.

He conveyed his displeasure in a statement from his media office, noting that the decision of Mimiko’s administration to distribute such paltry food items “reduces our people to a pitiable state of beggary.”

Akeredolu said it was unfortunate that Mimiko “is now embarking on a grandiose charade designed to deceive the people. This is a government that has failed to meet its primary obligation. This is a government that has not paid public servants for six months.”

He explained that there was no justification for the distribution of the so-called ‘Igbe-Ayo’ rice at the period the state “is preparing for governorship election and at the time the state is reeling under heavy debt burden. The state debt burden is now in the region of N85 billion or more.

“What then is the justification for sharing of food items if the government cannot meet its primary obligation? Our people are not asking for food items from any government. What they are simply asking for is a responsible and responsive government, which is currently lacking in the state.”

Akeredolu described Mimiko’s administration as hypocritical government, saying it espoused the philosophy of pain as its directive principle.

15 thoughts on “Mimiko Under Fire For Distributing Free Rice To Ondo Residents Before Election”

Nigerians complain that the leaders are the cause of our national stuntedness, but see how they sell themselves short. A man who shares rice prior to his election, shouldn’t his main focus be on recouping his expences and making gains before delivering any dividend to the electorate?

I think there is development in Nigerian electoral process now. Before, this silly tactic was order of the day. For the Bar association and concerned Nigerians to raise eyebrow suggests that people are gradually informed.

I am in support of disqualifying him automatically to serve as deterrent.

Some of the election rice beneficiaries believe it is National cake and thus their entitlements. They don’t see the rice as bribe, just an opportunity to get some cups of rice or whatever largess is offered without having to pay for same.
I think re -orientation is in order as the populace has come to expect such gifts as normal. Sad but true.

They steal from us and give us back as bribe. Stomach infastructure is d order of d day now. What can d people do they av to eat. Its dis animals in human skin we should hold responsible for stealing from us and stylishly giving it back as if they are doing us a favour.

@Victoria A… dont call them foolish s government that is owing six months salary do you want them to die of starvation? you can advise them to collect it bcus it their right and at the same time vote intelligently. as a matter of fact this is using is second tenure about 7 years and 8month now.

mimiko currently has only 5month left to complete his 2nd tenure. and i strongly believe that he is only doing this in other to create good will for himself and his party. May God deliver us from the hand of all evil and wicked leaders